Tariff Hike: CSOs Back Labour Protest

The leadership of the organised platform of the Nigerian Civil Society Movement known as the United Action Front of Civil Society Movement has backed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) nationwide protests against the recent unilateral increase in electricity tariffs by the government.

In a statement issued by the head of the national coordinating centre of the movement, Nigeria Olawale Okunniyi, the organisation called for an immediate reversal of the government’s anti-people policies in the power sector.

The movement said the tariff hike has caused adverse effects on the Nigerian populace adding that the government has neglected the people’s welfare.

“The situation of electricity supply in the country remains appalling with no assurance that DisCos, GenCos, and their regulatory agency, NERC, are prepared to address the fundamental issues that bother on infrastructure for effective transmission of generated electricity,” the statement reads.

It further condemned the discriminatory segregation of electricity consumers into different categories for preferential treatment, likening it to apartheid and calling it undemocratic, cruel, and reckless.

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The United Action Front further denounced these policies and urged civil society activists and Nigerian citizens to oppose them vigorously. 

It further called for the resignation of the Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, for his anti-people stance.

The statement urged stakeholders in the private sector to support the labour movement’s efforts to oppose the regressive electricity tariff hike, warning of its potential to worsen the country’s economic crisis and deepen the suffering of households and businesses.